Case Study in Review Integrity: Undisclosed Conflict of Interest
A
series to raise awareness and inspire creative problem solving of the
challenges in maintaining integrity in peer review
Sometimes it takes
detective work to unearth attempts to undermine the integrity of peer review.
Take the case of Dr.
Smith, one of the reviewers on a study section in the Center for Scientific
Review. The scientific review officer
(SRO) would like Dr. Smith to review an application with Dr. Jones as principal
investigator (PI).
In checking for potential
conflicts of interest (COI), the SRO cast a wider net and found something
troubling. Dr. Smith, one of the
reviewers currently set to review the application listing Dr. Jones’ as PI, had
been listed as one of the key personnel on an application with Dr. Jones as PI that
was under review in another, recent study section.
It was obvious Dr. Smith
had a clear COI as a reviewer for the application with Dr. Jones as PI. The COI instructions for reviewers state that a reviewer may not review
certain applications and must leave the room when the reviewer, within the past
three years, has been a collaborator or has had any other professional
relationship with any person on the application who has a major role.
In this case, Dr. Smith,
who is being considered as a reviewer for the application, is a professional
associate of Dr. Jones, the PI on the application. However, Dr. Smith had not declared a
conflict with that application.
The SRO immediately notifie...
Source: NIH Extramural Nexus - Category: Research Authors: Mike Lauer Tags: blog Open Mike conflict of interest conflict of interest in peer review podcast Source Type: funding